B.C. government spending $200M to increase food security
The B.C. government is hoping to get more locally grown food onto tables – something the premier hopes will lead to increased food security and lower prices.
A $200 million fund announced Tuesday will help farmers prepare for climate emergencies and strengthen the supply chain. There's also funding for food banks to help those who are struggling to afford groceries.
Professor Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, told CTV News the announcement could help buffer against future volatility.
"Three years ago was about empty shelves, and a lot of people were concerned about access," Charlebois explained, "but now it's about affordability."
The pandemic, fires, flooding and inflation have all led to higher prices in recent years. The province hopes by increasing the ability to grow food at home, that will change.
Premier David Eby, in making the announcement, said avoiding some shipping and labour costs adds up.
"We can grow it here. We can do it just as well. We can do it cheaper," said Eby.
At the same time, a Statistics Canada report shows the number of Canadians finding it very difficult or difficult to make ends meet is growing.
Dan Huang Taylor, the executive director of Food Banks BC, welcomed the grants to help charities like his. He said demand is spiking.
"We're seeing greater demand coming to food banks than we've ever seen before. And this has created considerable strain on the system," Taylor said.
Charlebois said grocery chains – typically generous with donations – are now providing less to food banks. That means food banks need to buy more, and although their buying power is greater than the average consumer’s, it's still creating a strain.
However, on a global scale he said Canada has one of the lowest food inflation rates in the world.
"At the same time, operational margins in Canada are actually double what they are in the U.S.," Charlebois added.
On Wednesday, CEOs of some of Canada's largest grocery chain stores will testify to a house of commons committee.
Charlebois believes the issue may be overly politicized and he isn't sure whether it will lead to any significant changes.
"It is going to be political theater, really,” he said. “In fact, I'm wondering whether or not it's gonna be a pay-per-view event."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Storm-battered U.S. South is again under threat. A boy swept into a drain fights for his life
Dangerous storms crashed over parts of the U.S. South on Thursday even as the region cleaned up from earlier severe weather that spawned tornadoes, killed at least three people, and gravely injured a boy who was swept into a storm drain as he played in a flooded street.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.